Milwaukee man charged with attempted murder in Lake County

A Milwaukee man was arrested in Old Mill Creek on Sunday and charged with attempted murder after an attack that left his friend with a broken leg, a dislocated shoulder and slashed eyelids, among other injuries, according to Lake County Sheriff's Police.

Michael Highsmith, 24, of the 2900 block of N. Buffum Street in Milwaukee, admitted to attacking his friend and stealing from him, according to Lake County Sheriff's Sergeant Sara Balmes.

Lake County Highway Patrol officers responded just before 1 p.m. to the scene at Crawford Road just south of Route 173 in Old Mill Creek, a Lake County town near Antioch, Balmes said.

There, on a road that Balmes said isn’t highly traveled and leads to farm houses, a passing driver reported seeing a bloody man try to drive away, police said. Balmes said the witness reported seeing the man apparently try to start his car and fail.

The driver also reported seeing another man lying in the woods bleeding, according to Balmes. When police arrived in response to the witness' 911 call, Balmes said Highsmith was still at the scene. Officers had to Tase Highsmith to bring him into custody, she said.

Police found a necklace, ring and wallet on Highsmith that they believed to belong to the injured man, according to Balmes.

After questioning, Highsmith admitted to police his involvement in the attack, Balmes said. The weapon used appears to have been a corkscrew with a one-inch blade on it, according to Balmes.

It was not initially clear why the two men were in the area or what prompted the attack, Balmes said. She said the event is still under investigation. Balmes said Highsmith told police the two have known each other for more than four years.

The victim was taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville with several injuries including slashed eyelids, throat and wrists, a dislocated shoulder and a leg broken in two places, according to police. The victim’s injuries are not life-threatening, Balmes said.

Along with the attempted murder, Highsmith also was charged with aggravated battery with great bodily harm, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and armed robbery.

Highsmith’s bond was set at $1 million, according to police, and he is scheduled to appear in court May 7.